Closure organization for collapsible tubes and like containers



June 14, 1932.

w. H. THORNE 1,862,555

CLOSURE ORGANIZATION FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES AND LIKE CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 4, 1931 INVENTOR WILLIAM H- THOHNE' MQW ATTORNEY Patented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. THORNE,.OF GROVE CITY, PENNSYLVANIA CLOSURE ORGANIZATION FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES .AND LIKE CONTAINERS Application filed August 4, 1931. Serial No. 554,961.

This invention has for its object the provision of a closure organization for collapsible tubes and like containers which will be more facile and convenient to manipulate into its open and closed positions than those heretofore supplied.

In general terms my improved closure device consists of a main cap which is either an integral part of a collapsible tube or it may be secured to the nozzle of regular commercial tubes if desired; this portion of the device is termed the primary cap; another portion of the device consists of a secondary cap which telescopes over said primary cap and is readily movable thereon so as to open and close the extrusion orifice or outlet for the content of the tube.

The construction of my improved closure is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the outlet end of a collapsible tube having my improved closure applied thereto; this view shows the secondary cap in the position which opens the extrusion orifice.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the secondary cap exposing the primary cap to View.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the closure device and also shows the adjacent portion of the tube to which it is attached.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the device taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a modified form of my device.

The construction as shown in said drawing is substantially as follows:

Referring especially to Fig. 3, a portion of a. collapsible tube is shown at 1, the outlet nozzle of which is indicated at 2; said nozzle is provided with the usual screw thread for the reception of a closure cap.

When my improved closure is applied to the tube, the usual cap is discarded and my closure device is substituted therefor and is screwed onto the thread providedfor said its previously stated my closure structure consists of two telescoping caps, namely, a primary cap 3, which may either form an integral portion of the collapsible tube 1 or be screwed thereon in the usual manner, and a secondary cap at which telescopes closely over the primary cap and is movable longitudinally, and to a slight extent, rotarily thereof. Intermediate the adjacent faces of the top wall of said caps respectively an expansion spring 5 is interposed, the object of which will presently be set forth.

Each of said caps is provided with an opening 6 and 7, respectively, which openings are arranged and adapted to be brought into registry by the downward movement of secondary cap 4 on primary cap 3, as shown in Fig. 2, said downward movement causing the compression of spring 5, and when the actuating pressure upon the secondary cap ceases to be exerted, the reaction of said spring 5 moves the secondary cap upwardly, whereby the nonregistry of said openings is effected, which closes the cap.

In the manipulation of my improved closure to cause the extrusion of a portion of the content of the tube from said registered openings, the tube is held between the thumb and second finger, with the index finger resting upon the top ofthe secondary cap; thereupon the secondary cap is depressed so as to bring said openings 6 and 7 into registry; at this juneture a pressure exerted between the thumb and finger between which said tube is held causes the extrusion of the content of the tube and when the desired amount of said content is thus obtained, the index finger is withdrawn from the top of the secondary cap, whereupon the reaction of spring 5 raises seizpndary cap 4 and closes the outlet of the tu e.

For the purpose of maintaining proper vertical alignment of the openings 6 and 7, also insuring the proper amount of vertical movement of said caps, and furthermore to provide a locking means for the secondary cap when in the closing position, a groove is formed in the periphery of the primary cap 3 which comprises two vertically-disposed branches 8 and 9 which are connected at their lower portions by means of a horizontal branch 10; branch 9 terminates at its upper end in a horizontal branch 11. Secondary cap 4 is provided with a suitable internal protuberance, such as a pin 12 that is adapted to travel in said groove; normally, said pin occupies said vertical branch 9 and moves vertically therein when the tube is in use; the length of said branch 9 is such as to limit the vertical travel of said cap, and to cause the proper registry of said openings; branch 11 is provided for locking the secondary cap against vertical movement; vertical branch 8 is provided for the purpose of facilitating assembly of the two caps into their normal operative relations, also for dis- 1. A closure organization for collapsible tubes and like containers and which is adaptance carried by the side wallof said secondary cap for occupancy of and movement in said groove of saidprimary cap as and for the purpose stated,'.and"a compression spring positioned between the adjacent faces of the end Walls of said capswhereby they are yieldably, normally retained in a position of non registry= of said openings and movable into the registry position of said openings for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I a'flix my signature.

WILLIAM H. THOR-NE.

ed to be applied to such tubes, comprising in combination two caps arranged in telescoping relation and adapted for relative longitudinal movement, the end walls of said caps being in juxtaposition, a compression spring interposed between the adjacent faces of said end walls, guiding and limiting means whereby the movement of one of said caps upon the other is defined and the extent of such movement is limited, there being registrable openings through the side walls of said caps which are in registry at one limit of said movement for the assage of the content of the related contalner therethrough, and out of register atthe opposite limit of said movement, said out of register position being normally maintained by the expansion reaction of said spring. a

2. A closureorganization for collapsible and like containers comprising in combina-'- tion a primary and a secondary tubular cap, means adjacent one end of said primary cap whereby the same is securable to the outlet of such container, there being an outlet opening through the side wall of said primary cap for the possible discharge therethrough of a portion of the content of said container, said side wall being also supplied externally with a guiding, limiting and locking groove; said secondary cap telescopically carried externally upon said primary cap, there being an outlet opening through the side wall of said secondary cap registrable with said outlet opening in said primary cap whereby a possible outlet for the content of said container is provided, there being also an inwardly projecting protuber- 

